The Club for Growth 2008

Zito, Salena, Tribune-Review/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Thirteen days ago, a full-page ad questioning the patriotism of
Gen. David Petraeus was placed in The New York Times by the liberal
anti-war group MoveOn.org. It added real heat to the 2008
presidential season.

For many liberals, the red-meat issue is ending the war in Iraq.
MoveOn.org's tactics have effectively made it the standard-bearer
for that issue.

For many conservatives the red meat is the economy, and their
standard-bearer is the Club for Growth, led by its president, Pat
Toomey.

In an interview, Toomey said that he has no problem taking
aggressive positions like MoveOn.org, but only within the realm of
economics. The club takes no stance on other red-meat issues of the
conservative base such as uncontrolled immigration and cultural
decay.

Toomey says that in the "issue matrix," the MoveOn.org ad
generated far more titillation than the full page the Club for
Growth took out in The Wall Street Journal calling out Congress'
proposed protectionist policies against China. It is a policy that
Toomey says echoes the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which helped deepen
the Great Depression.

"In time of war, war understandably displaces everything else,
but the prospects of our economy are never far behind." Toomey adds
that the economy is the spine of the country "so national security
ultimately depends entirely on economic security."

Just because the club is all about the numbers, it would be a
mistake to liken its approach to that of mild-mannered bean-
counters. Toomey said he does not back down when it comes to taking
on candidates who do not practice fiscal discipline.

For the 2008 campaign, the Club for Growth has already posted on
its Web site thoroughly researched "white papers" that inform voters
about the economic records of the various candidates for president.

The club focuses on spending, taxes, trade, regulation, school
choice and tort reform.

Two GOP presidential candidates that will never get the club's
nod are Sen. …

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